HN user
If you spent 1% of the time you did writing this article researching your misguided accusations you would realize that xcode 4 is free and downloadable for registered (free to register) Apple Developers.
Exactly like most Apple tools. It's frustrating seeing all these people accusing apple of charging for XCode when it's really no different than before.
This really doesn't reflect a programmers skills in anyway. I managed to write ruby to solve the problems, but I approached it to do for fun. Brain teasers aren't going to weed out the good from bad.
Also, considering the instructions explicitly say "write code to..." I would say using tools that give you the answers is in fact cheating. It's like math test where you have to show your work.
I'm a software developer who lived in San Francisco. I highly doubt you'll find anything for $1,000 in the city. You can get a studio in San Leandro for $950. For $1k you can probably find a nice room share in just about any neighborhood.
I highly recommend not having a car. Parking is a nightmare in San Francisco, I actually find it much easier living in Williamsburg/Brooklyn. Renting a space is anywhere from $125-250 per month.
I really enjoy living in the sunset, but it's always overcast. I also lived in SOMA and the heart of the Mission. I would advise against SOMA.
You need a bike. San Francisco cyclists are well respected by drivers and once you learn the routes (ie, the wiggle) you are set. It's the fastest way to get around the city.
Good luck
this guys explanation was way easier to understand: http://www.rubyinside.com/google-pagerank-in-five-lines-of-r...